Taonga at heart of new integrated maunga maintenance contract

Media Release, Monday 21 August 2017

The first ever single integrated maintenance contract for the Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau is now in place, with the taonga (treasures) that are the maunga at the heart of the new approach. The successful single provider for the five year contract is Recreational Services Limited.

Paul Majurey, Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, explains that the values at the core of the maunga maintenance contract are unique and require an approach that is different to other open spaces in the Auckland region.

"The Tūpuna Maunga are among the most significant spiritual, cultural, historical, archaeological and geological landscapes in the Auckland region and every aspect of their visual presentation conveys their significance to mana whenua as taonga tuku iho (treasures handed down the generations) and to all the people of Auckland."

"Historic and continued pressures have impacted the values of these taonga and through the procurement process for this contract we sought a partner prepared to share our love for the maunga by enhancing these special places, as well as having the technical ability to deliver high quality facilities maintenance outcomes."

"Recreational Services is committed to a genuine partnership and their firm grasp of the unique values underpinning the care of the maunga stood out immediately. They put forward a strong submission in terms of cultural awareness and commitment to interweaving tikanga and te reo into their work ethic. What really impressed was their ability to think laterally about how they could use their skills and experience to help heal the maunga. This aligns strongly with our award-winning Tūpuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan."

Majurey adds that alongside cultural competence, Recreational Services also impressed with their ideas associated with sustainable land management.

"Recreational Services demonstrated capability to mobilise and scale up new operations with very little sub-contracting. They also presented as the most comprehensive one-stop-shop of all suppliers assessed, and this is a valued attribute in a contract that looks to embed strong values around protection and enhancement in a consistent manner across the Tūpuna Maunga."

The scope of the maintenance contract covers the management of assets and maintenance of buildings and open spaces; sportsfield maintenance and rennovations; cleaning services; locking and unlocking services, as well as some vegetation maintenance.

The contract will enable delivery of co-ordinated services across the Tūpuna Maunga, more effective planning and resourcing, as well as improved quality assurance and environment management that can be monitored and measured.

To enable their delivery of the maunga contract, Recreational Services will employ a dedicated team, including nine new staff overseen by a team manager, working alongside a Māori leader. They have welcomed mana whenua nominations for new staff appointments with the Tūpuna Maunga Authority being part of the interview panel. A recruitment drive will begin soon.

Requests for proposals were sought though a closed competitive tender process overseen by the Tūpuna Maunga Authority, Auckland Council Procurement unit and a probity advisor.